New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-23
Nh. COHEN ON THE COMMISSION.
WHAT HE THINKS OF THE PACIFIC RAIL-
ROAD INVERTlGATlON.

ROAD IEvEsTiaATION.
LITTLE ACCOMPLISHED FoR THE GOVERNMENT AND
, LESS FOR THE YuBLLC-TIMK WASTED.
The rather causticettcr which Alfred A. Cohen, coun-
e Of the Central PACING Railroad Company sent TO the
Pacific Railroad Commission yesterday aud which is
published In another column was much discussed IN
railroad and political circles last evening tseemed
rather amusing TO most people. That the commission
should, Mr. Cohen claimed, pay out over 100000 to
obtain information already collected and on file In the
Treasury and Interior Departments at Washington. APP
esred to the average person. say the least hardly
In keeping with the character that the pres
administration processes to possess or the astueness
claimed for the Commissioners.
When Mr. Cohcns attention called to the letter he
expressed unwilngness discuss its contents or in
fact say anything about the abors of the commission
now drawing to close His statements, he Knew "ere
well founded In every particular
The letter that you speak Of explains ITSELF nc sald'
and only add that 1t is unfortunate that 90 much
money belon gng to the Government and 10 the Ceht
Pacific should have been wasted Ia reproducing In
formation that has been In the OF the oo'er
ment for several years past"
"what benefit you think will result from the iaoors
OF this commission !"
"I hardly think that want to give you my views on
this subject and II did probably would not publish
them because your estimate OF the President and mlie
arc essentially different believe that he is consccn-
tious and faithful public officer that he has appointed
the thought it his duty so to
do, and do not think you share in that opinion.
Besides think 1t for the interests OF the nation 70 re-
elect him; You do not Again. tho Central Pacific Kali
road Company might object to my expressing all opinion
on the interests 1t has conded to my charge even 70
newspaper of so high character THE NETWORK
tribune
Mr.. ANDERSON CRITICISED.
sYou do not appear have agreed with Mr. Ander-
so to the way in which the Of witnesses
should be conductedf Z"
well, I do not want to be interviewed, but to some
extent what you say is true AS informed from the
statements made by the President when no constituted
this commission. he determined to put good lawyer
upon It, and no obtained what he was seeking In the
appointment OF Mr. Anderson He IL a most es1mabe
gentleman very eminent in his profession and hgant
might we'll think that he in good fortune IL ne IN
trusted his rights to guidance of Mr. Anderson But
his long experience the bar has untitled him to view
more than side Of q case II is the same raining
which prevented Sir James scaett one OF the foremost
English advocates. from making much reputation rs
Judge the conduct OF the business OF this comms-
sion wo have found that Mr. Anderson could only re-
ceve favoray evidence appeared to be inmicnl
to the Central Pacific is to DO hoped that the charac
terstics OF Mr. Anderson In thus respect will change
For his Of this lily would be benefited by
having man of his high character and attainments
serve them in judicial position. But so Tar as the
labors this commission concerned this pccnarty
of the examining Commissioner tends greatly to de-
crease the value Of its abors.
THE PRESIDE NT's INTENTION.
think the intention of the President when he
approved bill authorizing this commission and ap
poiuted its members that they should obtain the views
of the directors of these railroads as to
the most feasible OF arranging and setting the
indebtedness due to the Government But the efforts OF
majority OF the commission appear 10 have been con
fined to preferripg charges OF misconduct All the ben
et that could possibly have been derived from the APP
result namely the settling Of the railroads indebted
ness and the affairs beyond political inhu
enccs. Such may be the ultimate effect but 90 not
think that il 1t Is will due in way to the intel
ligeut manner in which the Commissioners have 10 Iaf
performed the duties assigned to them
@Thcy have spent two days In an effort TO annoy hr.
Huntington by examining him in reference to altered
copies of letters that he says contain garbed state
mems OF what he wrote to poor dlrector now ueaa
from the Office the Cent al Pacific Now II this time
these two days had been devoted py .ne 20 nrtsn t
and the possibility OF its improvement ana 10
could be made tributary It, this would have been very
much more to the interests OK the Governments, Due
for the Comnis soners TO exercise power of
examination or for the batting OF me . Mines VERY
cheap luxury for the commission and II did not tho
witness any harm"
NOTHING NEW BROUGHT OUT.
"Do YOU think that the testimony taken
nv this Commission in relation to the
business of the CentraPacnc has given TO the Govern
uept or the public any information not previously pos
sessedf' wal, 40. how Il
could The books accounts and papers OF tee Cen
trail Pacific have been 50 often experted Sy G.sern
ment auditors and BIZ counsel and expert oeokkeopen
in litigation ia which company has been party that
nothing new could be obtained II does seem 70 me tha
An enormous amount of the public money mas peen
wasted in taking testimony and reporting and printing
the same Of the fact that all this is already In
the various at Washington condensed ana better
fitted for and UNDERSTANDING
MISSING VOUCHERS
"Iunderstand that you have furnished the Commits
sion vouchers belonging the company that have not
been returned to youi"
"Yes but 1 think that they will be found. But
papers delivered to such correct body
n Gentlemen az the Commissioners show how easy
n n for corporate papers 10 be misaid when they are
subected 10 overhsulng as the records OF this com
pany have during the various nade
a IL adsjrs and accounts Still some OF the papers
fnrusted to this Commission are OF importance and
shOuld not have from CalroEia where inc
archives OF this company arc kept. l believe nave
answered your questions, but 1 shopia very
have sad to you don't Of what interest this can
DO 10 anybody.
and the examination OF NJ running
ton Third Puget
JOTTIyGS ABOUT STAGE AFFAIRS.
The Lyceum Theatre has been crowded since the pro-
ducton of "Tho Gpeat Pink PEARL On wednesday
niSht the ~standnx Room Only sign was put out at
Bail